Michelin selects 56 Chicago restaurants for good value

(Crain's) — Chicago's restaurants got another visit from the Michelin man as the venerable guide named its "good value" places to eat in the city.

Michelin, the French tire company that has branched into travel and leisure guides, on Wednesday released its 2012 Bib Gourmand list. Fifty-six Chicago restaurants landed on the new list; 46 made the cut for 2011.

Seventeen restaurants are new to this year's list, including Avec, Perennial Virant and GT Fish & Oyster. Five restaurants from last year — such as Mado, Kith & Kin and Veerasway — did not repeat because they are no longer open. Only Frances' Deli in Lincoln Park lost its title as a Bib Gourmand.

The Bib Gourmand distinction is given to restaurants that offer "good cuisine at a reasonable value." Diners must be able to get two courses and either dessert or a glass of wine for $40 or less (not including tax and tip) to qualify for a rating.

"The inspectors in Chicago found an excellent and diverse selection of restaurants meeting the criteria for the Bib Gourmand across the city and in a few of the closer suburbs," Michelin said in a statement.

Michelin names its Bib Gourmand ratings a week before its coveted star ratings are released. Each year the firm rates restaurants from one to three stars. Locally, Alinea and L2O received the highest rating, three stars, last year.